WHO IS KING JAMES I? HOW DID HE COME TO BE KING AFTER ELIZABETH? WHAT IS HIS LEGACY? WHAT WAS LIFE LIKE IN JAMES’S COURT? WHAT CONNECTION DID SHAKESPEARE HAVE TO KING JAMES? Answer prepared by: Ryan S.
He was king now, no question about it. In Scotland he was James the IV; now he is James I. Queen Elizabeth I, “The Virgin Queen,” died on March 24, 1603. It was the end of an era and a dynasty. Her surname stuck with her, she was a virgin; no direct heir proceeding her. The crown passed along to a peculiar relative, James IV of Scotland, son of Mary, Queen of Scots, “a Stuart and distant cousin of the queen’s” (Laroque 110).
James was known for his intelligence and some what brilliant writing skills. His most eccentric and greatest feat was, as Bill Bryson, author of Shakespeare: The World as Stage, says “his own contribution to literary posterity, too, by presiding over the production of a new “Authorized Version” – the King James Version – of the Bible.” This English translation of the Good Book is in some peoples minds the best interpretation. James had only one problem with his powerful England; the majority of people at the time were Catholics. Growing up in a strict Protestant environment, he would have to have his country celebrate the same faith he did. This angered many pure Catholics so much that a group of conspirators tried to blow the Palace of Westminster to smithereens. But it failed miserably.
Fortunately life in James’s court wasn’t all that bad. “The court became known for its ostentation, luxury, extravagance, and love of festivities” (Laroque 114). Among these festivities was none other than the fabulous William Shakespeare and his Chamberlain’s Men. When James had first heard about the famous group, he had to see for himself. Just one play of Shakespeare’s caught the eye of the king. James decided to take the group under his possession and renamed them the King’s Men. Shakespeare and his men were more than happy to please the new sovereign. James would rule for another 22 years before gently passing away. He left behind a legacy of new forms of art and writing, a new look for the wealthy society, and the start of a new dynasty for England.
Works Cited Bryson, Bill. Shakespeare: The World as Stage. 1st ed. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 2007. pg 132-137. Print.
Butler, John. "Life of King James I of England." www.luminarium.org. Anniina Jokinen, Oct. 30, 2006. Web. <http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/james/jamesbio.htm>.
Laroque, Francois. The Age of Shakespeare. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Harry N. Abrams Inc., 1993. pg 110-111, 114-115. Print.
WHO IS KING JAMES I? HOW DID HE COME TO BE KING AFTER ELIZABETH? WHAT IS HIS LEGACY? WHAT WAS LIFE LIKE IN JAMES’S COURT? WHAT CONNECTION DID SHAKESPEARE HAVE TO KING JAMES?
Answer prepared by: Ryan S.
He was king now, no question about it. In Scotland he was James the IV; now he is James I. Queen Elizabeth I, “The Virgin Queen,” died on March 24, 1603. It was the end of an era and a dynasty. Her surname stuck with her, she was a virgin; no direct heir proceeding her. The crown passed along to a peculiar relative, James IV of Scotland, son of Mary, Queen of Scots, “a Stuart and distant cousin of the queen’s” (Laroque 110).
James was known for his intelligence and some what brilliant writing skills. His most eccentric and greatest feat was, as Bill Bryson, author of Shakespeare: The World as Stage, says “his own contribution to literary posterity, too, by presiding over the production of a new “Authorized Version” – the King James Version – of the Bible.” This English translation of the Good Book is in some peoples minds the best interpretation. James had only one problem with his powerful England; the majority of people at the time were Catholics. Growing up in a strict Protestant environment, he would have to have his country celebrate the same faith he did. This angered many pure Catholics so much that a group of conspirators tried to blow the Palace of Westminster to smithereens. But it failed miserably.
Fortunately life in James’s court wasn’t all that bad. “The court became known for its ostentation, luxury, extravagance, and love of festivities” (Laroque 114). Among these festivities was none other than the fabulous William Shakespeare and his Chamberlain’s Men. When James had first heard about the famous group, he had to see for himself. Just one play of Shakespeare’s caught the eye of the king. James decided to take the group under his possession and renamed them the King’s Men. Shakespeare and his men were more than happy to please the new sovereign. James would rule for another 22 years before gently passing away. He left behind a legacy of new forms of art and writing, a new look for the wealthy society, and the start of a new dynasty for England.
Works Cited
Bryson, Bill. Shakespeare: The World as Stage. 1st ed. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 2007. pg 132-137. Print.
Butler, John. "Life of King James I of England." www.luminarium.org. Anniina Jokinen, Oct. 30, 2006. Web. <http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/james/jamesbio.htm>.
Laroque, Francois. The Age of Shakespeare. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Harry N. Abrams Inc., 1993. pg 110-111, 114-115. Print.